Premier League Round-Up: Wednesday 9th July 2014

As the countdown continues to the start of the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League season, we take a look at the headlines surrounding Crystal Palace's top flight opponents.

ARSENAL

Thomas Vermaelen is set for showdown talks with Arsenal this week to discuss his future.

The Belgian international, who joined the Gunners from Ajax in 2009, has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Vermaelen is Arsenal’s club captain, but he struggled to hold down a regular first team place last term due to the form of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, leaving his future in limbo.

Arsenal are understood to be keen on offering Vermaelen a new contract with his current deal due to expire in 12 months’ time, but the 28-year-old is seemingly keeping his options open.

He told the Evening Standard: "I really do not know where I will play, Arsenal or elsewhere next season."

EVERTON

Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has joined Everton on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old, who spent last season on loan with the Toffees, has now penned a permanent three-year deal at Goodison Park.

Former England international Barry, who becomes Everton’s first signing of the summer, said: "I'm delighted now that everything is signed and I'm going to be spending the next few years at Everton.

"When you are on loan, it is never the same as being a signed player. I was really settled last year - but now I am an official Everton player and it feels really good."

MANCHESTER UNITED

American sportswear giant Nike announced last night that they will be ending their 13-year association with Manchester United.

In a statement, the company said: "The terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike's shareholders."

Adidas and Warrior, both based in Germany, are at the front of the queue to replace Nike as United’s new kit supplier for the 2015/16 season.

Nike, whose deal with the Red Devils is understood to be worth £24m a year, added: "Manchester United is a great club with passionate fans.

"Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike's shareholders.

"We look forward to a successful final season with the club."

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Hatem Ben Arfa is prepared to sit out the final year of his contract at Newcastle United, despite manager Alan Pardew’s attempts to offload him.

The former Palace star has made Ben Arfa available for a knockdown fee, but The Mirror understands that the French midfielder is happy to sit tight and pick up his wages rather than be forced out of the club.

The 27-year-old has been banished from the first team squad and been told to train with the development side upon the Magpies’ return to pre-season.

Ben Arfa, who moved to St James’ Park from Marseille in the summer of 2010, found himself out of favour at the back end of last season and Newcastle are willing to sell for just £3m.

SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton have completed their first signing of what has already been a turbulent summer, after snapping up FC Twente star Dusan Tadic for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old Serbia international, who scored 16 goals in 33 Eredivisie games last season, becomes new manager Ronald Koeman’s first signing as Saints manager.

Tadic is seen as the perfect replacement for Adam Lallana in an attacking midfield role at St Mary’s, after the England man joined Liverpool in a £25m deal following his country’s World Cup elimination.

Saints have also lost Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw this summer, with Dejan Lovren, Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez also linked with moves away from the club.

Koeman told Southampton’s website: "It was very important to get this signing done - not only for me, but for the squad and our fans.

"We have lost some good players, but we want to continue the ambition and philosophy of the club.

"We now look forward to bringing in more players because we want to continue and maybe even better what Southampton did last season."

STOKE CITY

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has admitted that he expects departures from the Britannia Stadium this summer.

Hughes has already added Phil Bardsley, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf and Dionatan Teixeira to his squad this summer, raising questions marks over the futures of a number of his current stars.

The likes of Peter Crouch, Steven N’Zonzi, Geoff Cameron, Wilson Palacios and former Crystal Palace loanee Cameron Jerome have all been linked with moves away from the Potteries before the start of the 2014/15 season.

Hughes told The Sentinel: "Sometimes players recognise where they are in the group and make the decision themselves that they need to move on to progress their career.

"Some will have those conversations with their people and with their families.

"I don't anticipate a lot of players leaving, but some will feel their futures lie elsewhere."

SWANSEA CITY

Italian giants Napoli are in talks to sign Swansea striker Michu.

Sources close to the Spanish international told BBC Wales that he has not travelled with the Swans party on their upcoming USA tour in order to hold talks with Rafa Benitez’s men.

Three other Spaniards, Pablo Hernandez, Jose Canas and Alejandro Pozuelo, are also believed to be absent from the trip to America.

Michu, who joined the Welsh outfit from Rayo Vallecano in 2012, only signed a new four-year-deal at the Liberty Stadium in January 2013.

But he seems he could now be moving to Serie A, with Napoli keen to bring him in on loan, while Swansea would prefer to offload their No.9 on a permanent deal.

WEST HAM UNITED

West Ham have announced the signing of Diego Poyet – son of Sunderland manager Gus – on a free transfer.

The 19-year-old midfielder rejected the offer of a new deal at Charlton Athletic, who will now receive a compensation package from the Hammers due to the fact he is under the age of 24.

Poyet, who was voted the Addicks’ Player of the Season last year, told West Ham’s official website: "It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted.

"I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it.

"Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of."